I have a non-American name, and after sending out 500-plus resumes with little response, I’m starting to think a made-up American name, like Robert Smith Jr., is in order. What do you think?

I’m partial to Thurston Howell III myself — but it really is a matter of preference. If we must be serious about this — and we must be — you cannot adopt a fake name! What do you imagine will happen when they conduct the pre-employment background check? Do you want to wind up on some watch list or potentially get accused of fraud or identity theft, depending on whose name you adopt? I highly doubt your name really is having an adverse impact on your job search. If you do have a different name you go by that is on some government-issued document, that’s fine. Otherwise, you can change your name legally and use that. But putting anything false on your resume is never acceptable.

My boss has strong opinions about the direction of our department, which I disagree with. I’ve expressed my viewpoints to her in an attempt to be helpful, so she succeeds, and to demonstrate I’m an independent thinker. Her reactions have not been good, and I think she feels threatened by strong women. What is a good strategy for handling this delicate situation?

Is it possible you might be doing a little projecting about the whole gender dynamic — that you are the one with a problem with a strong female who has a differing point of view? It’s possible what you say about your boss is true — but it’s also possible there is no gender issue at all, and your boss simply doesn’t like having anyone who’s not acting like a team player. The best leaders want the best talent, which means inevitably there will be differing opinions — that’s how you often reach the best final decision. But once a decision is made — whether you agree or disagree — the debate is over, and you must sign up and demonstrate to your boss you are doing everything possible to deliver on that strategy. If you don’t, you may want — or need — to find another place to work.